Your application timeline 2026, a new cost of living calculator, and a fully career-focused university.
😊 Welcome
Last year I launched an application timeline, complete with every major university deadline, plus everything you need to be thinking about at every stage.
I’ve updated this for 2026, including all the super-useful links that will help you find your way through the journey!
Secondly, we have a look at a new cost of living calculator from WhatUni.
Finally, we look at Aston, a career and profession focused university in the heart of Birmingham.
✍️ Your university application timeline, with key dates for 2026
Are you about to embark on your university applications for entry in 2026? Or do you know someone who is?
If so, this university application timeline is exactly what you need to help get your head around the process.
It gives all the key dates and deadlines, suggestions about what you should be considering and when, plus links to loads more advice and support for each stage of the process.
Ideal for students, but also for parents or new teachers and advisers.
You won’t find anything quite like this on UCAS, or (for that matter) anywhere else!
💡 Did you know?
WhatUni have just launched a cost of living calculator.
It's not perfect, by any means. It asks pretty basic questions, most of which you'll simply need to guess the information to. Then for the big items, it gives average figures without much explanation.
Most irritating of all, you fill in all the info and THEN it tells you that you need to create an account to view the results.
And yet... It's a genuine, useful attempt to help students get to grips with budgeting.
I expect most students will fill it in much like I did, and will work out they have a major shortfall.
This is a very useful starting point from which they can examine their expenditure more closely and start to explore opportunities for more income.
Why not try it out for yourself?
WhatUni Student Cost of Living Calculator
📸 Snapshot: Aston University
Became a university in: 1966
Student population: 19,210 (2022/23)
Location: Birmingham city centre
Subject areas: Business & Social Sciences; Engineering & Physical Sciences; Health & Life Sciences.
Admissions: Typical offers range from BBC/BBB for many subjects, right up to A*AA for Medicine. Contextual offers will be made for many subjects and BTECs are accepted. Interviews generally required for health-related courses.
With a history dating back to the nineteenth century, the college that was to become Aston University became the UK’s first College of Advanced Technology in 1956. Why is this relevant?
Firstly, it means that Aston is a strongly vocational university, focusing on work and professional related subjects in business, engineering and health.
Secondly, it is in some very good company. Loughborough, Bath, Surrey and Brunel universities have similar histories, and retain similar ideologies based on high academic standards and a strong careers focus.
That's all for this week. Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
🎯 In case you missed it
My brand new website: Uni Admissions Tests
